Misery drove dad to kill young sons, self, note says

Before taking the lives of his young sons and then shooting himself to death, Troy Geller wrote a note explaining his desire to protect them from a life of misery.

Before taking the lives of his young sons and then shooting himself to death, Troy Geller wrote a note explaining his desire to protect them from a life of misery.

"I will shield S&S from a life filled with confusion, questioned allegiances, guilt, hopelessness, co-dependence and insecurity," Geller said in the note, which was left in his Upper Arlington home on Sunday.

Solomon, 8, and Samson, 6, were shot multiple times in the head and chest, said Franklin County Coroner Jan Gorniak.

Mr. Geller, 35, died of a gunshot wound in the head. The three bodies were found in their home at 1759 Doone Rd.

Sarah Geller, 35, went home Sunday evening to discover her children and husband dead, all victims of what Upper Arlington police say was a double murder-suicide. Police responded to her desperate 911 call about 7:30 p.m.

Frantically screaming, she told a dispatcher, "Oh my God, my beautiful babies! He killed my babies!" Neighbors on Doone, four streets south of Lane Avenue, described the Gellers as a caring family. They said that Mr. Geller was a doting, stay-at-home dad; Mrs. Geller was a happy, personable working mother; and the boys were bright and well-adjusted.The Gellers married on Valentine's Day in 1998. Six days later, they both became licensed pharmacists, according to public records. Mrs. Geller is a supervisor at MEDCO, a mail-order pharmaceutical company.

Mr. Geller chose to stay home with the boys, said a neighbor who wouldn't give her name.

The boys were fixtures in their quiet residential Upper Arlington neighborhood. Neighbors said the boys typically played with other children who lived on the street and frequently rode bikes with their dad. One recalled the boys' enthusiasm as they went trick-or-treating last Halloween.

The note left by their father on Sunday showed problems that others didn't know about.

Neighbors are mourning the incomprehensible and tragic loss. Counselors were on hand yesterday at Barrington Elementary School, where Solomon had been a second-grader and Samson had attended afternoon kindergarten.

"Some (parents) are seeking guidance about how to explain what happened to their children," said Upper Arlington School District spokesman Dan Donovan.

Counseling services will be available for students, teachers and parents as long as necessary, he said.

There had been no previous reports of violence in the Geller home, said Heather Galli, spokeswoman for Upper Arlington police.

Those experiencing suicidal thoughts can contact a 24-hour suicide-prevention hot line at 614-221-5445.

sczekalinski@dispatch.com

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